AI Benefits and Risks: Why Responsible Use Can’t Be Optional

This morning the The New York Times The Daily podcast focused on AI safety with an episode titled "Trapped in a ChatGPT Spiral". It contains upsetting content about the potential harms of AI, but keeping up to speed on these topics is essential for AI use that is grounded on responsible principles.

We are not all building a ChatGPT, and the types of harms our systems or use cases could generate are likely quite different, and hopefully less extreme, than those featured in this podcast. However, for everyone involved in AI adoption, building tools with AI, or governance of AI systems, one thing is universally true: no matter how small the risk or low the severity of harm, it's unlikely that it's zero.

All of us can do better in highlighting responsible AI practices, in educating new users on potential harms, and helping the organizations we work with focus their efforts toward safety. It is possible to accrue the benefits of this technology while managing the risks, but it requires all of us to keep that goal in mind and to avoid the easy money or quick wins that put others in harm's way.

Go take a listen if you haven't already.

First posted on Linkedin on 09/17/2025 -> View Linkedin post here